Body found near platform fire site, missing worker identified

Company providing assistance to affected families

An oilfield employment agency released the names of the man whose body was found over the weekend and missing worker after a platform caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday morning.

DNR Offshore and Crewing Services identified the body as that of Ellroy Corporal and the missing worker as Jerome Malagapo.

The embassy of the Philippines in Washington said Corporal was 42 years old.

The embassy said it holds out hope that Malagapo will be found alive.

The owner of the platform, Black Elk Energy, caught fire on Friday morning, sending four people to hospitals. Initial reports suspected two were dead, but eventually it was discovered they were missing.

The company said it was expanding its efforts to locate the missing platform worker.

The four men were taken to hospitals for burns suffered in the incident.

DNR issued a statement on Monday as crews continued to locate Malagapo.

The company said the incident is under investigation and the company was in touch with families of the effected workers, providing counseling, financial and moral support.

“We have assured the relatives that the necessary compensation and benefits for the sustained injuries will be given. We are also coordinating with governmental institutions like SSS, PHIC and HDMF for other benefits. Our emergency response team is currently at the hometown of the fatalities to extend assistance to their relatives and provide burial assistance and other expenses. We also conducted home visits to immediate family members as part of our documented emergency response procedure right after informing them of the accident. Our principal wherein we have a 24-hour coordination in the United States likewise expressed their commitment to extend assistance to our workers and their families. The company is presently assisting them in securing the necessary travel documents including visas in order to bring them immediately to the site.”

The National Chemical Safety Board, a government agency, said it has sent a list of questions to Black Elk about evidence and possible witnesses. And it has requested documents relating to safety plans and permits in force at the time of the accident.

Stay tuned to WDSU.com for more information as it develops.

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